Latching device



Sept. 22, 1936. H SULLNAN 2,055,054

LATCHING DEVICE l l Filed Sept. 3, 1955 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented sept, 22, 1936 I UNIT-ED STATES ATENT OFFCE Application September s Claims.

This invention relates to a latching device applicable to various kinds of double closure members `whether such members are swingably or slidably mounted. The invention also includes 5 a novel mechanical movement for locking devices which may be applied in other situations than .that above mentioned. Y

.l Anf object of the invention is to provide an improved article of builders hardware for the purpose stated which will be simpleV in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and which will 4operate in a more efficient and satisfactory manner when applied to the doors and windows of dwellings,V as Well as when rused in other situations.4 One ofthe novel, improved features of the `ii'ivention resides in the construction whereby the Aclosing of one of a pair of cooperating doors, `when the other door is already in the closed psition will automatically `lock both the doors in the closed position. l

Referring to the accompanying drawing, which illustrates what is at present deemed to be a lpreferred embodiment of the invention,

, Fig. 1 is a plan view of the latch casing Vand bolts. 1 Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line 2-2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2. Fig. L is a cross section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2. r

rFig. 5 is a cross section taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a cross section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. '7 is a vertical section taken on line 1--1 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 8 is a fro-nt elevation partly broken away.

The embodiments of the invention which are shown, by way of example, in the drawing can 'be manufactured in many different ways and out of a-variety of preferred metals, for example cast iron, brass, bronze, or wrought steel. The device easily installed, it being unnecessary to do any Q5 deep morticing 4or to bore any deep holes.

Referring in detail to the drawing, and describing 'rst the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, five sides of the lock casing are `provided by means of the rectangularly shaped sheet metal member 5 which is tted within a suitable recess made therefor in the wood work, the casing being completed by means of a face plate 6 having'therein the bolt openings 1 and 8.

I term the bolt 9 the friction bolt and the bolt I0 the sliding bolt. Said bolts 9 and Io 3, 1935, Serial No. 38,883

cooperate with each other, their relative movements being controlled by means of a cross bolt II. The sliding bolt I slides directly outwardly and inwardly with relation to the casing 5, but the friction bolt 9 has a tilting as well as a sliding movement.

The sliding bolt I0, has a flat face |01: on one side and a convexly beveled face `Illb on the opposite side. The retraction of thisfbolt is effected when the closure member engages its beveledface. The bifurcated portion I2 of the sliding bolt Ill has at its inner end reversely arranged bevels I3 and I4, and the adjacent end of the cross bolt ll has reversely arranged bevels I5 and I5. The bevel I4 of the bolt I0 cooper,- ates with the bevel I6 of the bolt II to force the latter bolt toward the friction bolt 9. When forced to the limit of its movement in the latter direction, the oifsetfarm I1 with which the cross bolt is provided, beyond its adjoining shoulder I8, underlies the friction bolt il to prevent its retraction. Owing to the cross bolt being beveled both above at I6 and below at I5 it will operate equally well either side up, and its offset arm l1 will always be positioned for thrusting under a leg I2 of thesliding bolt I0. f

Describing more in detail the cross bolt II it is shown as having two parallel bifurcations or limbs 2U and 2| which are spaced apart to fit slidably within the lock casing. These limbs are respectively oifset inwardly towards each other at 22 and 23 and are thus brought into engagement with each other to form the shoulder portion I8 already mentioned. The offset 22 is shorter than the offset 23 thus causing the shoulderportion I8 to be offset somewhat with relation to the midwidth of the lock casing. Owing to the bifurcated nature of the cross bolt the bevel IB is of a two part character, and the same is true of the bevel I5. Saidcross bolt is fur-4 nished with a cross pin 24 which is located in a spaced relation to its bifurcated end' and which bridges the space between the bifurcations thereof. Y

The friction bolt 9 is urged to its extended position by means of a leaf spring 25 having a free end portion upon which said bolt seats. When said bolt is retracted against the opposition of said. spring the spring undergoes both a tortional deflection and a longitudinal bending. Said spring 25 has a downwardly curved end portion which is cut away at each side thus providing shoulders 26 and also providing at its midwidth a tail piece 21. Said shoulders prevent upward displacement of the cross bolt, and said tail piece acts upon the cross pin 2li to move the cross bolt to its retracted position.

The friction bolt 9, as will be seen from Figs. 4 and 5, has at one side a short curved leg 3l! and at its opposite side a longer straight leg 3E, the outer surface of these legs fitting against the casing side Walls with a working t and forming the sides of a saddle-shaped construction whereby the bolt 9 is mounted upon the adjacent end portion of the spring 25. Y The concaveinner side of the leg 3l) grips the spring in such a way as to keep said spring and bolt in their proper operative relation. Said bolt at times undergoes a combined sliding and rocking or tilting movement which results in its retraction, such a movement thereof occurring when a closure member is forced against the flat sulface` 9x of the bolt as indicated by the arrowin Fig. 4. At such timesthe leaf spring is subjected both to tortion and Y to a longitudinal bending, the position of the 'springand the leg at such times being indicated Vby* dotted lines in'Fig. 4. During the retraction of the bolt its convexed and beveled face 9b slides Y Yacross the adjacent edge of the bolt opening. 25

Across the upper portion of the casing at about 1 its midwidth extends a casing crosspin 32 around which is curled the upper part 33 of a leaf spring 34 which, as Viewed in Fig, 2, is directed downwardly and towards the left to engage frictionally the'upper surface of the cross bolt I l The other leaf spring 25 fits snugly between the Acurl 33 and the under surface of the casing face plate 6.

The invention is illustrated as combined with a pair of swinging doors, or windows, d and 4|, the lock casing 5 being embedded in the threshold 42 and door sill 43. When the door 4l, which I term the dead door, is closed and bolted on the inside of the building, it willkeep the sliding bolt l retracted and the cross bolt ll will function to keep the other locking bolt 9 extended to lock the other closure member 40. v

In operation this locking device acts automatically. Simply by opening or closing the sash or doors as the case may be, the standing leaf or dead door can be closed while the other door is open. Bolt ilY will act as a friction bolt and will hold `the door closed, but it can be pulled or pushed open without great resistance. Simply closing the other ldoorwill push down the bolt I0 which by a cam action will slide the cross bolt Il to lock the bolt S, so that the dead door can not be opened until the other door has been opened rst. However, if lby chance the loose-leaf door should close first, as'might be the case where door-closers are used, the standing-leaf can close after; in fact either door can close after, but the dead door positively can not be opened while the other door is closed.y In other words the looseleaf door operates the hardware without further assistanceV from anyone. Y Y Molded, punched or forged parts may be used in constructing this locking device, and the shapes of the movable parts may be varied, within the scope .of the claims, Vwithout 'departing from the :i spirit of the invention. v

I Claim: 'f l. In a latching device, a casing having a bolt opening, a bolt mounted within said casing and bolt, said bolt having a saddle portion furnished with limbs passing astride a free portion of said spring, said bolt also having a conVeXly beveled face which slides across an edge of said bolt opening during the extension and retraction of the bolt.

2. The subject matter of claim 1 and, said spring being a leaf spring and at least one of said limbs of the bolt having a concave portion which ts around an edge portion of said spring.

3. In a latch, a casing, two latching bolts mounted in said casing in a spaced relation to each other, a bifurcated cross bolt operable by one of said latching bolts to at times prevent the retraction of the other latching bolt, a pin mounted on said cross bolt and bridging the bifurcation thereof, and a spring to retract said cross bolt, said springY acting Yagainst said pin.

4. In a latch, a casing, two latching bolts mounted in said casing in a spaced relation to each other, .a cross bolt operable by one of said latching bolts to, at times, prevent the retraction of the other latching bolt, and a spring to retract said cross bolt, said cross bolt having two limbs extending 'in a spaced relation to each other and a cross pin connecting said limbs, and said spring having shoulders to engage said limbs and an arm or tongue between said shoulders to act against said pin in the retraction of said cross bolt.

5. In a latch, a casing, two latching bolts mounted in said casing in a spaced relation to each other, a cross bolt operable by one of said latching bolts to at times prevent the retraction of the other latching bolt, said casing having a face plate with openings through which said latching bolts are extensible, a cross pin in said casing near said face plate, and a bowed leaf spring underlying said faceplate and held in an operative position between it and said pin, one end of said spring being in an operative relation to said cross bolt to retract it, and the other end being in an operative relation to one of said latching bolts to extend said latching bolt. f

6. In a latch, a casing, two latching bolts in a spaced relation to each other within said casing and extensible therefrom into latching positions, one of said latching bolts having a bifurcation with two legs slidably fitting within said casing, spring means tending to extend both of said latching bolts after their retraction, and a reversibly insertable cross bolt having an oifset arm which is projectable under one or the other of the legs of said bifurcated bolt in whichever position said cross bolt is inserted, said cross bolt being operable away from its normal position by the other latching bolt for movement into a latching relation with the bifurcated bolt, and a spring to restore said cross bolt to its normal position.

7. 'Ihe subject matter of claim 6 and, said cross Abolt having oppositely disposed beveled faces against either of which the latching bolt which actuates it may engage to move said cross bolt away from normal position, according to which of said faces is placed uppermost when the cross bolt is inserted. Y 8. In a latch, a casing, a bolt mounted in said casing and having a combined sliding and tilting movement to and from a latching position, and a leaf spring operatively related to said bolt, said spring undergoing a combined lateral bending and torsion about its axis when said bolt is retracted in opposition thereto, said bolt having a flat inner face and being provided with means which maintain said leaf spring in a flatwise contact With said face during the operation of the bolt.

9. In a latch, a casing, two latching bolts mounted in said casing in a spaced relation to each other, and a slidable cross bolt mounted Within saidcasing, one end portion of said cross bolt moving to and from a position wherein it obstructs the retraction of one of said latching bolts, and the other end portion of said cross bolt having a cam relation to the other latching bolt in order to cause the retraction of the latter latching bolt to slide said cross bolt into the aforementioned bolt obstructing position, and means acting upon said cross bolt to return it to its nonobstructing position.

JOHN H. SULLIVAN. 

